Accessibility Advisory Group

The group meets monthly in the function room at the Council's civic offices. Dates for the 2023 meetings are:

• Tuesday 15 August 2023, 10am to midday
• Tuesday 19 September 2023, 10am to midday
• Tuesday 17 October 2023, 10am to midday
• Tuesday 21 November 2023, 10am to midday
• Tuesday 12 December 2023, 10am to midday

• Rachel Mullins (Chair)
• Paul Barclay
• Andrew Hey
• Colleen Jones
• Allison Nichols-Dunsmuir
• Ingrid Robertson

Purpose

The purpose of the group is to provide a forum for people with disabilities to participate in the planning of Council services, projects, and activities in order to ensure that the needs of the wider disability community are taken into account.

Role

• Advise and work with the Council on the implementation of the Equity and Access for People with Disabilities Policy, and all other related policies relevant to people with disabilities.
• Advise on the most useful ways of communicating and consulting with the wider disability community.
• Provide feedback and advice on planning, reviewing, or the implementation of Council activities (projects and services) that relate to the broad spectrum of disability issues.
• Help to determine the ongoing role and functioning of the advisory group.
• Provide lived experience and inclusive practice advice, not technical advice, to the Council. It is acknowledged that the group will not be experts on all disability matters and will not provide professional technical advice.
• Support the Council's community governance structure by providing advice about inclusive, resilient, and responsive communities for people with disabilities, and their families. The AAD supports the Council's commitment to consult and network with citizens, and to involve the community in decision-making.

Structure

The Accessibility Advisory Group (AAG) is facilitated by the Council's Inclusive Communities Coordinator. They provide advice to managers and staff in removing barriers to active participation for disabled people in their own communities.

The Council is committed to its partnership with the Canterbury District Health Board's CDHB Health in all policies advisor. The Health in All Policies Advisor provides advice and support to the AAG, adopting a health determinants approach, and providing health in all policies advice.

Membership eligibility

Members should:

1. Be people with a disability, or have family members with a disability, or are an advocate/self-advocate, or people working in the disability community.
2. Have knowledge and experience in working with, and advocating on, disability issues.
3. Have the ability to consult effectively with the sector and the disability community, and have strong personal networks in the sector.
4. Have skills and knowledge which will contribute to the aims of the group.
5. Have the ability to understand and represent interests broader than those of a specific disability group or organisation.
6. Have proven ability to work cooperatively and positively in a group environment.

Member appointments

1. AAG vacancies will be advertised through key networks and organisations in the disability community.
2. Applications should be sent to the Inclusive Communities Coordinator. Applications will consist of a cover letter, curriculum vitae (CV), and a letter of support from within the disability sector.
3. Interested persons can apply as an individual or an organisation can put forward a person they support to be on the AAG. Appointments are made for a two-year term, with the right of renewal for a further term. 
4. Vacancies will be interviewed for and appointed by, an appointments sub-committee from the AAG itself, with Council staff.
5. There may be times when the Council and the AAG co-opt a member in order to meet a specific need in the group.

Personal skills required to contribute to the Accessibility Advisory Group

• Well-developed communication skills and the ability to work effectively with others.
• Good time management skills and a commitment to attend the majority of the scheduled AAG meetings.
• Supportive of other AAG members and a willingness to undertake tasks as required, and work cooperatively within a group setting.
• Sound problem-solving skills and the ability to represent interests broader than those of a specific disability group or organisation.

Tenure of membership

The appointment is for two years, with the right of renewal for one further term. Completion of tenure should be on a rotational basis in order to maintain continuity and consolidation of the knowledge base.

Remuneration and expenses

The AAG members receive a meeting fee of $50 per meeting (gross), and may also be reimbursed for additional transport costs such as taxi vouchers if required. Members are responsible for any individual taxation requirements.

Accountability

The Accessibility Advisory Group is accountable to the Council through ongoing liaison with the Community Partnerships and Planning Manager, and more directly through the AAG facilitator, who is the Inclusive Communities Coordinator.

Communication between members and the disability community is through the member's contacts with the sector. It is expected that members will consult with, and provide feedback to and from the disability sector, on relevant issues as required.

An AAG member must inform the Council if any conflict of interest situation arises while they are on the AAG, or if any circumstance arises that could be a risk for the Council, or that could bring the AAG member, or the Council, into disrepute.

The Accessibility Advisory Group has a section on the Council's website which explains its purpose. The AAG meeting notes are posted monthly on the Council's website.

Resourcing

The support and servicing of the group is the responsibility of the Community Partnerships and Planning Team through the Inclusive Communities Coordinator.

The Accessibility Advisory Group has a work plan, which is updated regularly. Activities within this work plan are aligned with the Council's strategic directions and any relevant outcomes of the Long Term Plan (LTP). Key issues in the sector are also included.

Meeting agendas and meeting notes are emailed to members for their records.

Support requirements

Assistance to enable participation, such as a sign language interpreter, or other support that a person needs to participate in the AAG, will be provided at meetings if required.

Also, members may bring a support person to meetings as needed. Should any further support be required, members need to discuss their individual support requirements with the Inclusive Communities Coordinator.

Meetings

Accessibility Advisory Group meetings are usually held monthly in the Council building in Hereford Street, or at a time and place agreed as suitable by the majority of the group's members.

Meetings are generally two hours in length. At times, meetings are subject to change based on the Council's work requirements of the Inclusive Communities Coordinator.

Some meetings will be held in the wards and include ward community advisors and community board members.

Minutes and submissions

Previous submissions endorsed by the Disability Advisory Group and Accessibility Advisory Group and collated by Community and Public Health, Canterbury District Health Board are available on request.

Previous minutes and submissions are available on request.